Flame Retardants in Furniture Foam: Benefits and Risks

Babrauskas, Vytenis; Blum, Arlene; Daley, Rebecca; Birnbaum, Linda S.

doi:10.3801/iafss.fss.10-265

Cited by 45 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…Concerns have been raised about the potential for these widely used FRs to have harmful human health and environmental effects [5,6]. Additionally, the effectiveness of FRs at the levels used in RUF for reducing RUF flammability was questioned [7]. The environmental concerns and the effectiveness of FRs used in RUF were publicized in a series of investigative articles in the Chicago Tribune [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors for Consideration in an Open-Flame Test for Assessing Fire Blocking Performance of Barrier Fabrics

et al. 2016

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors for Consideration in an Open-Flame Test for Assessing Fire Blocking Performance of Barrier Fabrics

et al. 2016

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“…To reduce the incidence of smoking-related fires, many European countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, Italy, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Spain and Portugal (Singh & Jain 2009;Babrauskas et al 2011;Guillame et al 2008), have mandated that furniture fabrics must pass a standard test to ensure that they are resistant to a lit cigarette and a burning match, and this is normally achieved by treating furniture's cover fabric and/or supporting foam with flame retardants.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The science behind the development and performance of reduced ignition propensity cigarettes

et al. 2016

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A burning cigarette is a known cause of fire when mishandled. Studies into cigarette ignition propensity intensified after the US Cigarette Fire Safety Act of 1984. Extensive research has investigated the thermal properties of a smouldering cigarette, mostly away from any object of thermal contact or interference. To understand fire ignition, the thermophysics of cigarette's burning tip has also been examined with and without a contact substrate. In either free or contact smouldering cases, oxygen diffusion through the cigarette wrapping paper has been found to be an important parameter controlling the rate of burn and the energy released. Research by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology led to a standardized test method to determine cigarette ignition propensity, and eventually regulations enforcing Reduced Ignition Propensity (RIP) cigarettes have been passed in all US states and other countries. Among the physical parameters of a burning cigarette related to its thermal energy release, circumferential bands applied to the cigarette wrapping paper that reduce air permeability or diffusivity during smouldering have become the main approach to produce commercial RIP cigarettes. Studies have been performed to ensure that RIP cigarettes have equivalent or lower mainstream smoke yields and biological activities as compared with their conventional non-RIP equivalents. The effects of the paper band properties (width, gap between the bands, type as well as the amount of the material applied) have been studied systematically to establish a manufacturability window. Studies on human smoking behaviour confirmed that RIP cigarettes matched closely their predecessors. The bands, as intended, alter the combustion temperatures during cigarette smouldering within the band. Further research into the interaction of RIP cigarettes with different types of commercial upholstery fabrics and materials should help to understand its mechanism of action in support of emerging postimplementation fire statistics.

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“…To assess the flammability of UF, fire resistance is determined for a whole UF piece, according to standard guidelines based on different criteria and ignition sources (e.g. burning cigarette test, small flame or match test, flame spread test, Crib 5 test) [3]. Although a lot of UF may comply with relevant flammability tests without further treatment, the use of flame retardants (FRs) is often necessary and is currently regarded as the best available solution to reduce the number of domestic fires.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fireproofing of domestic upholstered furniture: Migration of flame retardants and potential risks

Lounis

Leconte

Rousselle

et al. 2019

Journal of Hazardous Materials

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Flame retardants (FRs) are widely incorporated in polyurethane foams to decrease their fire reaction. Currently, the risks associated with the use of FRs in domestic upholstered furniture (UF) are evaluated according to FRs volatility and potency to be emitted into the atmosphere. However, exposure via contact and dermal penetration, mediated by sweat, has not been considered so far. Our study provides an identification of the latest-generation of FRs most commonly used in UF, and an evaluation of their potency to migrate into artificial sweat. First of all, an extensive literature search, along with surveys with professionals, led to the identification of twenty-two FRs and synergists commonly used in France and Europe. Then, migration into artificial sweat of various FRs embedded into synthetic or commercially available polymer matrix was studied and evidenced. These results were analysed in the light of their potential effects on human health and the environment. Based on the migration's data, it is not possible to clearly rule out potential effects of FRs on human and environment health. Therefore, the authors consider that the use of FRs in domestic upholstery does not seem to be justified due to potential risks and a lack of clear benefits.

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Flame Retardants in Furniture Foam: Benefits and Risks

Cited by 45 publications

References 50 publications

Factors for Consideration in an Open-Flame Test for Assessing Fire Blocking Performance of Barrier Fabrics

Factors for Consideration in an Open-Flame Test for Assessing Fire Blocking Performance of Barrier Fabrics

The science behind the development and performance of reduced ignition propensity cigarettes

Fireproofing of domestic upholstered furniture: Migration of flame retardants and potential risks

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